afternoon delight...

After the misery of the cold and wintry conditions of yesterday, today saw a sunny start to the morning and spring like weather, touching 12 degrees. If my body was able to cope with the lack of sleep, then it would be struggling with the funny weather, but at least we didn't have to take down all the trees last night. After the morning meeting where schedules and things of import were discussed, we set off for the club in the hotdog mobile. I managed to lie down in the back, thus getting a few more minutes of respite.

The improved weather definitely saw smiles return to the faces of the professionals and an increased number of shoppers. I spent the morning "walking the show" with clients and doing some translating and negotiating on their behalf. A few trees were moving and the mood seemed convivial. A stark difference from 24 hours previous. Akiyama in particular was doing well and when I left at lunch time, he was deep in conversation with a client about the work required to take a chuhin sized chojubai to the level required for a future kokufu.

As much as I have been influenced by the Chief, my elder brother Akiyama has been one of the most major influences on me as a bonsai professional. Not just tips and tricks technique wise but also from a business and ethical perspective. Although we are the same age, we have come along very different paths to thecurrent point. Akiyama came to his apprenticeship straight from high school, me after 4 years of university and one of bumming around. I started just as he was finishing and there was a lot which needed to be passed down. One of the things that has always stuck with me and was evident today was the fact that he once asked me, "what do we sell?", and rather naively, I answered "Bonsai". The answer he was looking for was, and I don't mean this in a strange way was..."dreams, we sell dreams". He constantly reminded me that for the enthusiast it is a hobby, some more serious than others, but if it isn't fun and if there is nothing to look forward to, then there is no point. Bonsai is a study of change over time, be it natural or not and so we must enable that to take place in a positive way. Finding material that has a bright future and either teaching the techniques necessary or implementing them, to enable the dream to come true, that is our job...and enjoying the path along the way.

Sometimes that involves an hour train ride to see some monkeys, other times not. Today it did. This afternoon I was asked to take a customer to see the world famous Taisho-en, the garden of the Urushibata's. An hour train ride from Tokyo, and we were there, eager to meet the monkeys. They did ot disappoint...

John Armitage was recent at Taisho-en for another stay and so I asked Mr. Urushibata how it went and he was effusive with praise. Apparently John's arm has raised...which means he has level upped in both dexterity and skill. He's good basically. Very good. Urushibata made a bee line for this tree which had been styled by Mr. Armitage, saying with a big smile on his face, you should have seen this before!

Not quite taken at the front but from a nice piece of work from one of the premier European shohin bonsai artists. (This commercial has been not been funded by the Armitage Foundation).

There were too many trees to take pictures of, and I prefer to look at them rather than photograph, but here were some stand out trees.

A collected Hemlock from 60 years ago. 60 years of careful pot cultivation. Look at the bark, look at the mochi komi in the branches, look at the genuine naturalistic styling. Mr. Snart...look at it. Phenomenal. The thought of loving you getting so exciting...sky rockets in flight...

Possibly the best needle Juniper in the world...from the potential new front. Mmm...

For those people who are afraid to prune their bonsai...this is what it will look like in 400 years. A garden tree Black Pine which was originally a bonsai belonging to Tokugawa Ieyasu...one of the most famous shogun ever. I would hate to wire it.

Taishoen has expanded and improved dramatically over the last few years. The work room has improved, Mr. Urushibata is building a new house on the property and the garden has doubled in size. It is well worth a visit and the international school has been home to a great number of happy and satisfied students...including three very hard at work, fiddling with trees while I was there. I commented to Mr. Urushibata how long it had been since the heady days of apprenticeship when I used to sit in front of trees all day. He laughed and said..."Shouganai"...what can you do about it?

The next round of European Talent...good to have more and more people training even for just a month. Manuel on the right however is to stay for five years if possible.

All in all it was a welcome break from the confines of the green club...got to sleep on the train a little and see an old school Hemlock that was worth the trip itself. An afternoon delight indeed. Tomorrow a trip to see Morimae and some satsuki people.

Technically that should be today as I fell asleep in the middle of writing it.

Oh and for Andy Stone Monkey...pot porn. Turn your head upside down and dont forget to breathe.

Over and out.

 

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A cold snowy day...

Last night saw the threat of snow, so Akiyama, being a worrier, and I took all the trees off the bench and put them in safe places, either under the bench, inside or on the floor. Tokyo snow is fairly lethal to bonsai, being heavier then normal snow (scientific fact), arriving to a disaster scene in the morning was on the cards. Branches bent, snapped, frozen pots and trees tipped over were always a possibility. As fortune favours the brave, it didnt start snowing until the minute we arrived the next morning, and it didn't stop all day. Freezing temperatures, wet feet and a lack of customers make for a boring and potentially cold inducing day. Thankfully the arrival of some personal clients and a number of friends meant I was kept busy all day doing the rounds. The rounds included a trip to the museum and a look at the show in its entirety.

My initial hopes for a good show were slightly dashed. During the set up we thought that the dark lighting was just an eco thing, there was no need for bright lighting. It turns out that the lighting was up to full and there have been complaints from many of the overseas visitors. Putting on an exhibition of any type is difficult and there will always be teething problems at first, but the lighting was disappointing. Also disappointing was the numbers of visitors...it was quite empty, maybe it was the weather but I wasn't complaining. Noelanders at its peak can be a difficult place to see trees, so scenes like this make for easy viewing.

Far from the madding crowd indeed.

When I was young, I never needed anyone...and making bonsai was just for fun...

Compare that to Noelanders....

I complain about the kokufu, but it still kicks ass. I just have high expectations.

At the club there was little action other than trying to keep warm. Tired, poor professionals huddled round kerosene stoves like refugees from an ancient land, yearning to breathe free. Kokufu can be very long periods of tedium, interspersed with moments of terror. That could be anything from a phone call from the Chief, a big client arriving or lunch.

It is nice to see the comments and extra following...and as request a picture of the new me.

I think I may have taken too much cold medicine.

Onwards and...you know the rest.

 

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Another daily post...but back to normal

And the war has begun. This morning saw a slightly earlier start so I could press my shirt and slacks and don the formal wear which only gets an occasional airing. It never fails to surprise me how many other professionals stop and say that they have I have scrubbed up well. Its a yearly tradition. I even went so far as to cut my hair incredibly short so I now can do a passable impression of Bonsai Eejit. I added my own twist by keeping my trademark mini-mutton chops slightly longer. Once again, everyone was surprised that I shaved up well, so much so that Taiga Urushibata mentioned it every time he saw me. I smell bromance.

A steady trickle of customers and business throughout the day saw us kept busy. Akiyama did well for the first day and I made a couple of sales which I had been working on for a few days. Many hobbyists may not approve of the financial aspect of bonsai, but as a professional, sales equals being able to pay bills, more sales equals buying material for yourself to work on. Lots of sales....well I will tell you what that equals when I experience it. I've heard it's a nice place. One of the crucially different aspects to my apprenticeship versus the likes of Mike Hagedorn or Ryan Neil's was that from day one I was heavily involved in the sales aspect of things. Going to auction, selling trees to clients, dealing with fellow professionals and so I am able to operate within the Japanese Bonsai community with a fair amount of ease as I was taught the rules and way to behave. Even in Japan, the community is small and everyone knows what everyone is up to, and so bad news travels fast. Reputations can be destroyed with a dodgy deal or two and so it is important not to upset the balance. Pay your dues, don't squeeze the price too low and make sure everyone is happy.

Times are tough in the marketplace and people struggle for sales; the economy, an ageing and ever decreasing number of enthusiasts and the lack of new material make things difficult, yet nothing is being done to rectify the problem. Much like the sketchy yamadori sales in europe, a short term, make money fast approach will end in tears, whereas building a healthy, stable and self sustaining community is the only way forward. This is what is happening in the United States with the formation of the Portland Bonsai Village and the self disciplined yamadori sellers. This coming from the land of hard sell capitalism would make Marx proud, as I often mentioned to the aforementioned Mr. Neil.

There are signs of improvement in Japan but there needs to be more people making trees. I had a long conversation with Akiyama who is trying to decide if he should sink a lot of money into a juniper which will need ten years before it becomes showable. It needs grafting with new foliage and redeveloping and the sum of money required to do that will disappear for a long while. If he had younger clients, he could sell them the dream, but when money is tight and life expectancy is getting shorter where do the priorities lay? Finding something to improve quickly and double the investment, or building a future masterpiece, potentially losing money if the risk doesn't pay off? Sadly there are too many professionals who have moved away from making trees, a cursory glance at a years worth of Kinbon magazine will show ten times less different artist than it did ten or fifteen years ago.

Sadly I didnt take any more pictures today, but I have one from November which is an example of how I feel now, after a long day on my feet. Now I'm waiting to go and meet a client for dinner but I feel like

 

Maybe some more pictures tomorrow, but for now, an illict coffee and a sit down is picking me up for round two. Im not complaining, this is the high point of the year, but my back is...thankfully there are plenty of legitimate massage places to patch me back up.

Over and out. Onwards and upwards

 

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The club fills up...

Its now only half a day until kick off and almost all the dealers are in the club. I have been dong the rounds and making sure nothing escapes my eagle if a little wonky eye. There are a number of different styles, species and price ranges here and I can always find something which is worth having a closer look at.

This year we are hoping for improved sales and customer numbers, the last two years have been depressingly quiet because of the temporary location of the show, but ow its back in the museum, hopefully the 5 minute shuttle bus between sales area and show will be packed every trip. For all those who complain at shows in the west where the sales area is not close to the show, try this on for size.

Anyway, here are more trees, because lets face it, thats what people want. Bonsai porn.

Red pine, surprisingly expensive.

"Elbow in the face, bruises as big as dinner plates...". As funky as George Clinton.

Pimp.

Akiyama's one for the future. Shake it up baby

An elegant juniper. "Thou shall not covet thy neighbours wife"

Toufukuji of the highest order.

What an awesome camellia...

Our first clients of the day?

And just in case any one thought that bonsai artists were serious people...

Yes. The chief in his setsubun bean throwing glory.

 

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You can find me in da club...

Bottle full of...err green tea?

Today sees a ridiculously slow day of setting up. Normally its just one day but this year its three...so at least im out of the garden for a while. Its good to see all the stuff coming in and getting first pick. Already made a few purchases, although nothing major. There are some interesting trees...and some down right weird stuff

Love the pot on this. Looks like its made of copper

A pine eruption

This very useable chhin juniper came and went in less than half an hour.

Ever seen a hinoki like this? Me either...

Ever seen anything like this? Only in medical text books....

First purchase of the morning...a lovey little zelkova. If only I can get the time, I could tirn it into the big brother of the Coopers's award winning tree...in 7 years.

And for those who think its the life of riley...here is a shot of my Tokyo office.

Thanks for the comments. Steal photos Mr. eejit and time permitting, I may keep it up.

 

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A few trees which caught my eye...

Not all the trees were in yet but it looks like being a vast improvement from last years poor showing...a good variety of trees as always. A few caught my eye...

Prunus Mume in a Maruhei pot. Saw it in the car park and knew immediately whose tree it was. Not many people do stuff like this. For those that know me well...you can imagine my happiness only too easily.

Chuhin cascade rose. My fetish for them is sated a little. Love the species, not overly fond of this tree, but as the Arctic Monkeys once said...I would still take you home

This bad boy juniper seems vaguely familiar...looking as good as ever.

John Brocklehurst...the challenge is set. Beat this for a root stand. Shame about the tree

So this is what an ezo spruce is supposed to look like. Kind of. Only two in the show it seems.

Unglazed antique chinese pot on a deciduous tree...break those tedious conventions or just...

Break pots. Again, shame about the tree.

Akiyama taking pictures. For most professionals, this is the only time they get to see the show...

Aaah...back in the museum again. For the eagle eyed, Omachi and Matt Reel are working hard....which is what happens when you have trucks full of trees.

And from the green club sales...my favourite tree so far. A twin trunk white pine where the second trunk wraps around the front of the first. Boom!

Setting up the sales area tomorrow, lots of extra days means we are taking it slowly....And Im getting the hang of this facetube bloggery business aren't I. Wont last long like.

 

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Live kokufu blogging...

Children of the night...I can do this face tube business...

After the hectic last few weeks with the best show in Europe and Ryan's visit to the UK, I hopped on a plane and came for the best show in Japan and arguably the world...its that time of year again. Kokufu.

With only a few trees coming from us, it is just Akiyama-san and myself in a hotdog van taking three trees to set up in the show which has moved back to the Metropolitan Museum in Ueno. Although the show doesn't start until the 5th, the trees are going in today.

Here they are...safe in the back

We will be setting up the sales area today and tomorrow and generally milling around. There may be some updates, there maybe not.

Waiting in the hot dog van...

 

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